INTRODUCTION

The 1999 Benton County Solid Waste Management Plan Update has been developed to provide decision makers in Benton County with a set of goals and recommendations for implementing and evaluating future solid waste management efforts. Federal and state solid waste regulations continue to change. They continue to emphasize waste reduction and recycling while requiring the county governmental agencies to undertake solid waste management actions. It is the obligation of the Plan to address changing standards and demands facing solid waste management in Benton County. The purpose and authority for solid waste planning is derived from state legislation that defines the roles of counties and cities in solid waste management. The Solid Waste Management Plan is the guide for managing solid waste in Benton County for the required 5 to 20-year planning period.

Recommendations developed in the Plan provide decision makers with three important tools: (1) strategies for the development of projects, programs, policy, and operating plans; (2) a basis for permitting decisions by the jurisdictional health district and other local government agencies; and (3) the support needed to obtain grants and funds for subsequent planning and project implementation. Washington State's Solid Waste Management-Reduction and Recycling Act goes further to require that the Plan be maintained through periodic review and update at least once every five years (RCW 70.95.110).

The mandate to develop a solid waste management plan for Benton County is codified in Chapter 70.95 RCW. More specific guidance for preparing plans is provided in the Guidelines for the Development of Local Solid Waste Management Plans and Plan Revisions (Ecology 1990). These guidelines describe the planning process that must be used in the development of a solid waste management plan and define the principal areas that must be addressed in the document.

Another important motivation behind the development of the Plan is the need to establish a coordinated, regional approach to solid waste management in Benton County that enables decision-makers to manage resources most effectively, while assuring adequate protection of the environment and public health.

GOALS

Solid waste management goals for the Benton County were developed with the assistance of the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

The primary goal of solid waste management in Benton County is to:

• Continue developing solid waste programs and projects that promote and maintain a high level of public health and safety which protects the natural and human environment of Benton County

The following goals focus on specific areas of solid waste management addressed within the1999 Update Plan:

• Manage solid wastes in a manner that promotes, in order of priority: waste reduction; recycling, with source separation of recyclables as the preferred method with the recycling goal of 50% to be achieved within the next 20 years
• Encourage and expand coordination and communication among all jurisdictions and solid waste agencies/firms in Benton County to develop consistent and cost effective programs that avoid duplication of effort and gaps in program activities
• Encourage public involvement and ensure the representation of the public in the planning and implementation process
• Emphasize local responsibility for solving problems associated with solid waste, rather than relying on the state or federal government to provide solutions
• When feasible promote the use of private industry expertise to carry out the components of the Solid Waste Management Plan
• Be consistent with all existing resource and waste management plans

RECOMMENDATIONS

The recommendations summarized in this section were formulated based on an assessment of the needs facing solid waste management in the Benton County area. Responsibilities for carrying out specific recommendations are assigned to various local agencies. Each of these jurisdictions recognizes the importance of carrying out all of the tasks in a manner that ensures efficiency, avoids gaps in program activities, and avoids conflicts or inconsistencies. These objectives will be met by holding regular coordination meetings involving lead and participating agencies, sharing information, and briefing the Solid Waste Advisory Committee.

• Obtain good data on waste reduction and recycling activities in Benton County
• Develop a plan to address management of disaster debris in Benton County which does not include low-level radioactive wastes from the Hanford area
• Develop Best Management Practices for agricultural waste reuse and recycling
• Emphasize programs for commercial waste reduction and recycling
• Continue existing programs with adjustment in focus to meet current needs
• Emphasize educational programs
  • Litter Hotline
  • Promotional literature and material
  • Internet Informational Library
  • Handling Special Wastes
• Explore other funding sources
• Continue and expand the use of litter work crews
• Revise the Solid Waste Management Plan every 5 years and update as necessary

IMPLEMENTATION

The implementation of recommendations made in the Plan will take place on a continuous basis. The time required to implement recommendations vary from a few months for single projects, to ongoing programs that take place over a twenty-year period. The schedule and direction for each recommended program may be revised, however, as the Solid Waste Management Plan is updated and as the objectives and needs of programs change. Specific schedules for conducting recommended activities are presented in Chapter 7. Cost estimates are provided in Appendix A.